This tongue in cheek article lists all the reasons why you would not consider a federal government job. Thse days of course a federal government job can provide security, great health benefits and very meaningful and challenging work. Don't just dismiss it

1. You just love the insecurity of not knowing whether you will be able to pay your rent each month and the challenge of finding new work during a Recession.

New federal employees are on a conditional appointment for 1 year. During that time they can be dismissed. After three years pass, they become permanent employees and only an Act of God can remove them (a bit of an exaggeration). Incompetence is a basis for removal.

2. You hate interesting work that helps people and the country.

The federal government is involved in so many interesting areas that it would be hard to find something that would not interest you.

3. You think the salaries are too low,

The salary gap between the government sector and private sector is narrowing. The salary for an entry level professional with a Bachelor's degree is $30,386 and go as high as $149,000 in the Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia area. The benefit package is extra and that is valued at about 25-35 percent of your salary. Promotions occur almost annually.

Salaries are set by locality. See the tables to determine your locality and the salary.

4. Your insist on paying off your federal student loans out of your own pocket.

Many government agencies have student loan repayment programs that pay back a student loan. The employee must commit to a certain period of employment.

5. You and your family don’t need affordable health insurance. Besides there are just too many health plans, over 350, including both HMOs and PPOs (fee-for-service) plans to choose from,

Permanent employees are eligible for health care benefits as soon as they begin working. There is no waiting period. For more information, visit the Federal Employee Health Benefit website.

6. You really don’t need Long Term Care Insurance or Term Life Insurance since you will live forever,

Employees may be eligible to enroll in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program and Federal Group Life Insurance Program. Other insurance companies, like WAEPA also offer special deals to federal employees.

7. You dislike a flexible working schedule that can accommodate routine medical and dental appointments and the needs of your family,

You can work a 40 hour 8:30 am. to 5:00 pm schedule or an alternative works schedule. The latter allows you to work 9 hours days and to take the 2nd Friday off.

8. You really can’t stand the thought of having 23 days off each year and being paid for it,

That adds up to 13 vacation days per year plus 10 paid holidays.

9. You really don’t care about being fired from your job when you have to take off work to care for your family or elderly parents, and

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows federal employees to take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave to care for a dependent relative with no threat to their job status.

10. You can afford to pay those high health insurance costs not covered by your deductible and never plan on retiring.

A Flexible Savings Account allows employees to have deductions taken (pre-tax) throughout the year for medical and dependent care costs. You can use your pre-tax dollars to pay for your out-of-pocket medical costs, as well as your dependent care costs.

The Federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is comparable to a 401(k) in the private sector. The contribution will be automatically deducted from your pre-tax pay. Permanent employees are eligible.